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Consumer product giant Procter & Gamble has announced that it will eliminate phosphates from all of its laundry detergents worldwide within the next two years. The change applies to brands including Tide, Ariel, Ace and Bonux, and will maximize the conservation of precious resources and reduce the threat of water pollution.

Consumer product giant
Procter & Gamble has announced that it will eliminate phosphates from all
of its laundry detergents worldwide within the next two years. The change
applies to brands including Tide, Ariel, Ace and Bonux, and will maximize the
conservation of precious resources and reduce the threat of water pollution.

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Phosphate is a naturally
occurring mineral that is mined from rocks but based on the current rate of
consumption its reserves will begin to become depleted within the next 30
years.

The compound has been
blamed in the UK for an increase in poor water quality as it leads to algae
growth. Algae prevent light reaching through the water and use up oxygen,
causing a decline in the health of the water environment.

Phosphate is added to laundry
detergents to soften the water and to hold dirt in the wash water. The usual
alternative to phosphate is zeolite, which is environmentally friendly and does
not contribute to nutrient pollution.

Over the last few years,
water companies have installed phosphate removal facilities at its larger
sewage treatment plants. However, small private sewage treatment plants, while
still treating sewage adequately, allow phosphate to pass directly into ditches
and rivers.

In a statement, Gianni
Ciserani, Group President of Global Fabric and Home Care at P&G, said: "Our
strong commitment to innovation, research and development has allowed us to
improve the performance of our laundry products while also eliminate
phosphates. We believe that action
speaks louder than words in the area of sustainability. Through hard work and
commitment, we are continuously innovating to make it easier to care for the
world on wash day. P&G has been gradually
reducing the consumption of Phosphates since 2005. By the time the laundry
reformulations are fully implemented, P&G will have eliminated close to
half a million metric tons per year compared to its peak consumption during
calendar year 2005."

Ciserani added: "This is
just the start of a series of solutions we are developing to make it easier for
people to make a small change that can have a positive impact on our world â€“
for a cleaner today and a brighter tomorrow."